500 Magnum as an SD Gun?

Loplop, you need to put Jerry Miculek's eight shots from a PC627 V-Comp in 1.01 seconds in your table for we revolver nuts. A bg could hear that and just know you had something crew served - or had gone 'Rambo' on him.

BTW, I timed my shooting a 16" steel plate at 110yd some years back with my scoped (Weaver H2 2x28) 7.5" .454 SRH for five Hornady 240gr XTP's (1,990 fps). I could hit it five times in ten seconds. The oscillation of your hand/wrist/forearm had to be allowed, to an extent, for dedicated shooting WITHOUT hurting you. The ergonomics were quite good in that revolver, my ownership is still a fond memory. Of course, then there are the days shooting poof loads in a .38 are problematic due to my CTS-riddled wrists.

To the original question, a 'protective' firearm is generally what you have available. A .500 wouldn't be my choice, even if I had one. They are an experience to shoot.

Stainz

Loplop, you need to put Jerry Miculek's eight shots from a PC627 V-Comp in 1.01 seconds in your table for we revolver nuts.

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The table was typed straight from the article; it wasn't necessarily meant to be a comprehensive speed shootout, just a representative of how those Monster Snubbies shoot. That 1911 was only loaded with 5 rounds so Mikulek would be on top of that list for sure

A .500 would definitely STOP an attacker, if you can draw it and shoot it accurately, but then a prosecutor, and the BGs family would destroy you.

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I think it is more like "the civil attorney for the BGs family would destroy you." Imagine that, you defend your life against their family member and then they take you for every penny you have because the gun you used was 'too big' (or 'excessive"). What a legal system we have today !!! :banghead: :banghead:


** More states need to pass laws that say criminals and their families CAN NOT sue for injury or death occuring during the commission of a crime. I think we have such a law in Florida, but I'm not positive.

Kinda like carrying a .50BMG for squirrel hunting, I'd choose a .41~.44mag for "big carry" if he truely wants a big bore. I'd really suggest a .357mag for CCW in a wheel gun...that's what I carry when I carry a revolver and still to this day I think .357mag is king of single shot stop in gunfights in the sensible catagoey.....which doesn't include the 500 smith!

Something I don't recall anyone mentioning yet is the likelihood of needing to fire a sd gun with one hand.

I like the idea of it being more for wilderness SD, than for urban SD.

Any news on a Ti/Scan version?

I can't believe three pages have been devoted to this post.

Works for me:





I think muzzle blast is a VERY good thing. 300-325 grains at 1100 fps, or even 950 fps should work just fine.

S

Man that is a freakishly large barrel and cylinder! Look how small the grip looks

Those look like Eagle "secret Service' grips. I bought a set of them for a 357 snubby at the last fun show. I shoot 357 all the time. Took them out last weekend and they almost ripped my hands apart. The checkering was like sand paper. I took them off and threw them out and ordered a set of Hogues. I could not imagine them on my 500 S&W 4".

The S&W model 500 would stop the attacker. You would then spend at least 20 years in prison for arson because the muzzle blast set the BG on fire...

awesome grip....small strip of rubber would be better though, eh?

How hard is it to hold on to?

<<Works for me:>>

I’m a sissy, compared to you.
I have to use the rubber grip, and the muzzle comp. (4 inch model), shooting that thing. Yes. I have tried it without the muzzle comp. and wood grips (full loads, anyway). Forget about one handed and rapid shooting, for me, that is! If I do….would have to go with 500 specials or I have to wear a PADDED (full-figured) shooting glove, to handle that terminator.
I don’t want to go with the padded glove route. Don’t like to use them.
I truly do love wood; I don’t want to restrict myself to 500 specials only, though.
You’re in a league, you, yourself, alone. Welcome to the club!
Hey! More power to ya’!

I just picked up, sentence, where you do use reduced loads. Thought, that was part of your sig. line, when first viewing it.

It has been said before, but I feel it bears repeating:
I would rather deal with the effects of overkill than underkill!
Can you really make the BG too dead?

Choices....

Though it certainly would not be my choice to carry, I celebrate those who make the choice to carry a firearm they're comfortable with, practice with and most of all, train with... I just made the leap from carrying an autoloader, (20-years) to carrying a Smith and Wesson 642CT. To me, it's plenty of gun. A 135gr +P 38 hits like a train, (they're exploring other loads over in The 6C). Though I've had this gun for a couple of weeks, I'm still not carrying it full time, as I don't feel I've trained enough with it. So, if you spend a lot of time training, (even getting training) and you're comfortable with the 500 and any ramifications that may attach to it's use, then go for it! I can't imagine carrying a .500 Snubby, but you knwo what? I want one...

MassMark,

Just for the record, I find the 4" .500 easier to shoot than a 642. You can try it yourself at the next NES shoot.

I conceal carry my .500 almost every time I take it to the range. According to Mass law, when transporting a handgun I have to either lock it up or carry it on me. If I'm taking just the .500, it's easier to carry it than to lock it up. I do not generally carry it for SD though.

With "small" charges of Titegroup, the .500 can be shot quickly - even one-handed. The weight and bulk of the thing are what makes it hard to shoot though, not the recoil. Still, even downloaded, 3/4 of an ounce of lead at 900 fps is pretty formidable.

MCgunner said:

Baaaaah, humbug. I prefer small and fast to big and slow. Give me a .460!

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Now that's funny.

I'd personally love to try one of those monster snubs. I bet they're fun.

How much more painful are they than a scandium snubby with 357's in it?

How much more painful are they than a scandium snubby with 357's in it?

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They're much less painful. Although I wouldn't want to try the one in the picture above with the Secret Service grips.

Really neat. I need to try one now. I just missed S&W days at the range... darn.

Needs low velocity and lighter wgt.

The fact that this gun was developed to take down the biggest, meanest toothy critters places the user in the liability jackpot due to power, over penetration, inability to control etc. To make the reasoned decision to gun up with that cannon for carry in and around innocents might leave one in legal jeapordy if it goes bad (worse than normal...). The potential for collateral damage is so great.

However, I believe that you would have to develop a special low-velocity, lower-weight round to responsibly use that round for anti-personnel duty. Has anyone actually come up with such a round?

Self defense against what, a bear? Sure, the .500 is a fine choice.

If you are talking about two legged predators, I think it is overkill.

A good .357 magnum is a good choice for two legged predators... moderate recoil (faster follow up shots), less penetration, great bullet selection, and reasonably sized mid framed guns that shoot it.

Just IMO. YMMV

Why not?

Some people like full power rifles for home defense.
It would not be my choice. But it would work as well as most guns.
The chance of needing a second shot is nill and the over penetration is as bad as many other choices.
The cost per round fired would help keep me from shooting unless needed.

Almost three years. Very good. Yes, (strokes chin) very good.

I bet that in that short barrel the mighty 500 would have no more muzzle energy than a full house 44 Magnum out of a long barreled Mod 29....

In my opinion, the 500 is excessive even for wood defence...I stop at my 44 Mag loaded with heavy slugs...if I want more I switch to a rifle or a shotgun...much more practical.